Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum, London
Mme Tussaud´s Wax Museum
Madame Tussaud´s Wax Museum is one of London's most famous museums. First begin in 1835, the museum brings well-known figures from history and modern culture to life with stunningly-realistic figures made from wax. It features figures from politics, entertainment, royalty and history in an enormous museum grouped into several large, themed exhibits. From world leaders to famous murderers, the various themed rooms have plenty of figures to keep visitors busy for hours. For history buffs, there are famous military leaders, kings, dictators and presidents. Displayed on the wall is the actual blade used to remove Marie Antoinette's head. For horror buffs there is the famous Chamber of Horrors. This section of the museum depicts scenes from the French Revolution and the plague and showcases famous villains like Jack the Ripper.
The entertainment figures come and go as cultural tastes change. With new and popular TV shows come new figures to reflect that popularity. Some wax figures also get makeovers to reflect the increasing age of the person depicted. Clothing is also changed regularly to keep up with trends. Current TV and sports stars are often depicted in the museum's displays.
Located on Marylebone Street near central London, the original Madame Tussaud's is still the best know. However, there are now other branches abroad, that feature figures more accessible to those countries. The New York museum features American athletes, music stars and figures of note. Other branches include Washington D.C., Hong Kong, Amsterdam and Las Vegas with several new cities planned.
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and thesecond longest in the United Kingdom, behind the River Severn. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford, Reading, Henley-on-Thames, Windsor, Kingston upon Thames and Richmond.
The river gives its name to several geographical and political entities, including the Thames Valley, a region of England around the river between Oxford and west London, the Thames Gateway, the area centred on the tidal Thames, and theThames Estuary to the east of London. The tidal section of the river is covered in more detail under Tideway.
Tower Bridge
Tower Bridge from the south side at dusk
Tower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name. It has become an iconic symbol of London.
The bridge consists of two towers tied together at the upper level by means of two horizontal walkways, designed to withstand the horizontal forces exerted by the suspended sections of the bridge on the landward sides of the towers. The vertical component of the forces in the suspended sections and the vertical reactions of the two walkways are carried by the two robust towers. The bascule pivots and operating machinery are housed in the base of each tower. The bridge's present colour scheme dates from 1977, when it was painted red, white and blue for the Queen Elizabeth II's silver jubilee. Originally it was painted a mid greenish-blue colour.
Tower Bridge is sometimes mistakenly referred to as London Bridge, which is the next bridge upstream.
The nearest London Underground station is Tower Hill on the Circle and District lines, and the nearest Docklands Light Railway station is Tower Gateway.
Design
Tower Bridge viewed from the top of London City Hall.
The bridge is 800 feet (244 m) in length with two towers each 213 feet (61 m) high, built on piers. The central span of 200 feet (61 m) between the towers is split into two equal bascules or leaves, which can be raised to an angle of 86 degrees to allow river traffic to pass. The bascules, weighing over 1,000 tons each, are counterbalanced to minimise the force required and allow raising in five minutes.
The two side-spans are suspension bridges, each 270 feet (82 m) long, with the suspension rods anchored both at the abutments and through rods contained within the bridge's upper walkways. The pedestrian walkways are 143 feet (44 m) above the river at high tide.
